Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multi-compartment autoclave using inter-compartment dividers having one or more underflow openings for passing a feed stream between compartments.

Abstract: A method for treating extremely small particles of recycled polyethylene terephthalate comprises providing a quantity of RPET particles having an average mean particle size ranging from about 0.0005 inch to about 0.05 inch in diameter, heating the RPET particles to a temperature sufficient to cause at least a portion of the RPET particles to adhere to one another, and forming the adhered RPET particles into pellets, said pellets having substantially the same average surface-to-volume ratio as the bulk, un-adhered RPET particles.

Abstract: A multistage process for the continuous production of an emulsion comprising subjecting at least two immiscible liquids to a sequence of at least two mixing stages carried out in at least two successive stator-rotor devices, wherein a peripheral outlet from a first stator-rotor device is connected to an axial inlet in the successive stator-rotor device by means of a duct in which the Reynold number ReT inside said duct is higher than 5000, and the peripheral velocity of each rotor of said stator-rotor devices ranges from 5 to 60 m/s.

Abstract: An active micromixer uses a surface acoustic wave, preferably a Rayleigh wave, propagating on a piezoelectric substrate to induce acoustic streaming in a fluid in a microfluidic channel. The surface acoustic wave can be generated by applying an RF excitation signal to at least one interdigital transducer on the piezoelectric substrate. The active micromixer can rapidly mix quiescent fluids or laminar streams in low Reynolds number flows. The active micromixer has no moving parts (other than the SAW transducer) and is, therefore, more reliable, less damaging to sensitive fluids, and less susceptible to fouling and channel clogging than other types of active and passive micromixers. The active micromixer is adaptable to a wide range of geometries, can be easily fabricated, and can be integrated in a microfluidic system, reducing dead volume. Finally, the active micromixer has on-demand on/off mixing capability and can be operated at low power.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus has a container base and a container lid with the lid carrying a mixing mechanism extending through the lid. The mixing mechanism includes at one end a mixing element and at the other end a drive connection to a drive motor. When the drive is operated, the mixing element mixes the contents of the container, usually with the container inverted. The lid has a rim portion with a circumferential slot, and the top edge of the container is located in the slot when the lid is assembled with the container to improve the connection between the lid and the container during mixing. The lid within the rim portion carries the mixing mechanism and during mixing, the assembly is held to lock the assembly together.

Abstract: A mixer capable of developing suitable stirring characteristics by forming a sufficient vertical circulation flow over the entire part of the inside of a tank, wherein an opening is formed in a stirring blade under the following conditions: (i) the ratio of the opening area of the opening in the upper half of the stirring blade to the overall area of the upper part of the stirring blade (the opening rate in the upper half of the stirring blade) is 45 to 80%, (ii) the ratio of the opening area of the opening in the lower half of the stirring blade to the overall area of the lower half of the stirring blade (the opening rate in the lower half of the stirring blade) is 18 to 50%, and (iii) the ratio of the opening rate in the lower half of the stirring blade to the opening rate in the upper half of the stirring blade is 31 to 71%.

Abstract: Auxiliary fluid tanks associated with transit concrete mixing and dispensing systems are disclosed which include a hydraulic reservoir tank which is adapted to be stowed inside a mixing drum support pedestal. The hydraulic fluid reservoir tank further includes a shaped outer wall defining an enclosed inner space and includes one or more fluid discharge and return connections in the outer wall. The tank is also provided with an internal baffle shape in line with the fluid return connections such that it is addressed by returning hydraulic fluid and deflects and defuses the returning hydraulic fluid so that it thoroughly mixes with cooler reservoir fluid. An auxiliary water tank can also be nested beneath the hydraulic fluid reservoir tank under the hollow support pedestal.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a bowl, mixing element and motor. A mixing element is located within the bowl and is driven by a motor to impart mechanical energy to the foodstuff being mixed upon contact. A method for predicting instantaneous loading on the mixing system motor. A method for increasing the power to the motor comprises introducing additional current in advance of instantaneous loading. A method for identifying the foodstuff being mixed to control operation of the mixer either by allowing user interaction or increasing the current to the motor in advance of instantaneous loading and demands on the motor.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to combining a plurality of flow streams. In various embodiments, a first channel transports a first laminar fluid flow, a second channel transports a second laminar fluid flow, and the first and second channels enter a merging region at an acute angle to one another along separate substantially parallel planes.

Abstract: Mixing devices and processes that make it possible to mix flowable finely divided solid particles with liquids (and/or slurries of solids in liquids) contained in an open top container outdoors under windy conditions, with reduced or eliminated dusting from entrainment of the flowable finely divided solids by the wind, utilize a mixing device with a dust-tight housing open at its bottom and partially immersed below the surface of the liquid, an inlet port on the housing for the finely divided solids, an outlet port on the housing for escape of air displaced by liquids flowing through an opening into the immersed portion of the housing, and, inside the housing, a driven impeller that causes the actual mixing.

Abstract: A vortex motion paint mixing machine having a paint container holder spinning and orbiting in a paint mixing assembly pivotally connected to a base, one or more viscoelastic polymer dampers and a control arm. A method of damping vibration in a paint mixing machine by: a) providing a receptacle for receiving one of a cylindrical or a non-cylindrical paint container on a mixing assembly; b) pivotally mounting the mixing assembly on a base; c) providing one or more viscoelastic vibration dampers between the mixing assembly and the base; d) connecting the mixing assembly and the base with a control arm; e) rotating a paint container in the receptacle in a spinning motion about an axis of the receptacle and in an orbiting motion about an axis separate from the axis of the receptacle; and f) damping vibration between the mixing assembly and the base using the viscoelastic vibration damper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food waste disposal system including a housing with a food waste introduction opening and a door receiving depression, the door for covering the food waste introduction opening, a prefabricated mixing basin disposed inside the housing and composed of a box-shaped upper body, a hemispherical lower body, and a rotational shaft axially installed on a horizontal central line of the prefabricated mixing basin, a plurality of prefabricated mixing wings engaged with the rotational shaft for cutting food waste into small pieces and agitating the food waste in the prefabricated mixing basin, a geared driving motor for driving the rotational shaft, in which a touch screen panel installed on an upper surface of the housing and a personal computer incorporate PLC Ethernet cards respectively therein so as to allow the food waste disposal system to be controlled from a distance using the computer, which is networked.

Abstract: Multiple solid materials are introduced to a mixing vessel in defined proportion. They are melted by an electromagnetic induction heated susceptor and mixed simultaneously by the shearing action at the melt face of a second rotating susceptor. Material compounding takes place at the application site. Varying the physical structure of the susceptor or multiple susceptors processes materials of differing initial melt viscosity and particle size. Non-melting particulate material can be included in the mix. Reactive components can be combined at the application site.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing plaster includes: a) providing a heated HH-plaster; b) feeding the hot plaster in a moistening device having walls heated to at least 100° C.; c) injecting water and/or steam into the moistening device in conditions that such not yet moistened surfaces of the plaster are exposed to the injected water and/or steam; d) maintaining an atmosphere in the moistening device at a level of the dew point in the range of 75 to 99° C.; e) feeding the moistened blend into a curing device; f) maintaining an atmosphere in the curing device above 75° C. for at least 3 minutes; g) feeding the moistened and cured blend into a drying device; and h) drying the moistened and cured blend. Also an apparatus for moistening ?-hemihydrate plaster includes a rotating drum with lifting blades inside where all walls in contact with the product are externally heated at a temperature above 100° C.

Abstract: There is provided a culinary whisk comprising one or more wire loops for mixing foodstuffs, the or at least one of the wire loops includes an inner metallic wire portion and an outer polymeric portion enclosing the inner portion, wherein the inner portion is provided with groove(s) along substantially the length thereof for increasing frictional contact with the outer portion or means for fixedly adhering the outer portion to the inner wire portion whereby in use relative movement between the external portion and the internal portion is reduced.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automated analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method for suspending magnetic particles accumulated on the floor of a mixing tube and depositing the magnetic particles in bodily fluid samples.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating solids, in particular mixing, pelletizing or drying, includes a vessel receiving a solid product, and a driveshaft which is arranged in the vessel. Disposed in fixed rotative engagement with the driveshaft is at least one mixing member which rotates in a rotation direction and has two mixing arms. Each mixing arm includes a main vane of generally triangular cross section to define an apex which is directed in the rotation direction of the mixing member.

Abstract: A marinating device includes a supporting base having a blocking sidewall, a food marinating container having a guiding rib and a container sidewall physically contacted with the blocking sidewall to block a sideward movement of said food marinating container at a first sideward direction, and an electric driving arrangement. The electric driving arrangement includes a driving unit and a plurality of driving rotors adapted to be driven by the driving unit to rotate. At least two corresponding driving rotors are frictionally and alignedly engaged with the guiding rib to block the sideward movement of the food marinating container at an opposed second sideward direction such that when the food marinating container is driven to rotate via the driving rotors, the food marinating container is securely retained on the supporting base.

Abstract: An experimental mixing device may comprise a driving source, an eccentric member, a control member and a mixing member. The control member may be selective installed in the experimental mixing device and be configured to adjust the mixing member, thereby providing various operational motions of the mixing member, for example an orbital motion, a see-saw motion, a 3-D twist motion, or a crank motion. The use of the control member may eliminate the need of separating the mixing member from the experimental mixing device. Thereby, the experimental mixing device may have adjustable patterns and quantity of the mixing motion and lead to easy usage and manufacture.

Abstract: A hot mix asphalt plant for producing hot mix asphalt using a high percentage of RAP comprising a first dryer adapted to receive and mix virgin aggregates and RAP fines and a first burner assembly adapted to produce a burner flame and heat and dry the virgin aggregates in the first dryer. The plant also includes a second dryer adapted to receive coarse RAP and a second burner assembly adapted to produce a burner flame and heat and dry the coarse RAP in the second dryer. The plant further comprises a pugmill adapted to receive the virgin aggregates and the RAP fines from the first dryer and the coarse RAP from the second dryer and mix the virgin aggregates, the RAP fines and the coarse RAP to produce hot mix asphalt.